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There are many things that can knock us off track from our good habits. Sometimes, it’s something as simple as forgetting to do the habit. Or maybe, it’s being too busy to fit it in.

Other times, we might get derailed by a difficult challenge or by feeling like we’re not making progress. Whatever the reason, it’s important to be aware of the habit killers so that we can find ways to overcome them.

In this article, we’re going to look at the 8 habit killers most likely to keep you from living the life you want. All it takes is one to knock you off course, so get familiar with each and be vigilant.

Self Discipline

Self-discipline is often seen as a key ingredient for success. It can be what helps us to stay on track and achieve our goals, despite any obstacles that may come our way. However, self-discipline can also become an obstacle to setting and keeping good habits.

One of the main issues with self-discipline is that it can be hard to maintain consistency. Often, we can be very good at self-disciplining ourselves when things are going well, but we struggle to keep it up when things get tough. This is because self-discipline requires us to be strict with ourselves and constantly push ourselves, even when we don’t feel like it. As a result, we can quickly fall back into old habits and behaviors.

In addition, self-discipline can be limiting. We may find that we are only able to stick to certain habits or routines, rather than being flexible and adapting as needed. This can cause problems, especially if our habits are no longer serving us well.

Ultimately, self-discipline is a valuable tool but it’s important to recognize its limitations. When it comes to setting and keeping good habits, self-discipline is just one part of the equation. It’s important to find other strategies to help you stay on track, such as building a support network or using positive reinforcement. With a bit of creativity and flexibility, you can work around the obstacles that self-discipline presents.

Inconsistency

Inconsistency can be a major obstacle to keeping good habits. When our moods or circumstances vary, it becomes difficult to maintain the same behavior day in and day out. This can lead to frustration and a sense of hopelessness, as we feel like we are constantly struggling against ourselves.

Fortunately, there are some things we can do to overcome inconsistency and keep our habits on track. First, be honest with yourself about why you’re having trouble sticking to your routine. Are we really too busy, or is it that we don’t really want to do this particular thing? Once we identify the true obstacle, we can start looking for solutions.

If an inconsistency is due to a lack of motivation, then we need to find ways to make the habit more appealing. Maybe there is a way to tweak the behavior so it’s more fun or satisfying. Or we can find an accountability partner who will help us stay on track.

If an inconsistency is due to external factors, such as changing moods or busy schedules, then we need to be more flexible in our approach. We may need to allow ourselves some wiggle room so that we can still stick to our habits, even when things are hectic. And if we slip up one day, we should not get discouraged; simply start fresh the next day.

Self-discipline is key when it comes to overcoming inconsistency. When we are determined to stick to our goals, no matter what, we are more likely to succeed. So be honest with yourself, find solutions that work for you, and stay disciplined in your approach. With time and effort, inconsistency will no longer be an obstacle to keeping good habits.

Inability to Spark Motivation

A lot of people struggle to set and keep good habits because they lack motivation. This can be a real obstacle, because if you’re not motivated to stick to your good habits, then you’re more likely to give up on them. To not give up prematurely, there are a few things you can do.

Make sure your habits are something you really want to do. Don’t try to force yourself to do something that doesn’t interest you – it’ll be much harder to stay motivated if you don’t care about the outcome.

Set realistic goals for yourself. Trying to change too many things at once can be overwhelming and cause you to give up. Start with one or two habits and add more as you go along.

Make a plan. Having a specific action plan will help you stay on track and make sure you’re doing everything you need to do to achieve your goal.

Find a support group. It can be helpful to have people who are also trying to change their habits to provide encouragement and accountability.

Physical Challenges

There are physical challenges that can keep you from setting and keeping good habits. These might include having a physical disability, being very overweight or obese, or struggling with chronic pain.

If you’re dealing with a physical challenge, there are some tips that can help you overcome it and establish healthy habits. Once again, be sure to set realistic goals. Don’t try to overhaul your entire lifestyle at once – start small and gradually build on your successes.

Also, be patient with yourself. Habits don’t form overnight, so give yourself time to make changes and adjust to new routines. And lastly, ask for help when you need it. There’s no shame in admitting that you need assistance – in fact, it can be a sign of strength.

So if you’re facing a physical challenge, don’t let that stop you from establishing healthy habits. There are ways to overcome any obstacle. Just be patient, set realistic goals, and make asking for help an option.

Negativity

Negativity is one of the biggest obstacles to setting and keeping good habits. When you’re feeling down, it’s tough to summon the motivation to do anything productive. And if you’re constantly negative, it becomes even harder to make lasting changes in your life.

Here are a few tips for overcoming negativity:

• Make a list of all the good things that will happen if you stick to your habit.
• Reframe negative thoughts into more positive ones. For example, “I’m not good enough” becomes “I’m doing my best.”
• Find a support group or online community to help keep you motivated.
• Reward yourself for sticking to your habit, even if it’s just with a small treat.

Negative thinking can be a powerful obstacle to setting and keeping good habits. But by using these tips, you can overcome it.

Temptations and Distractions

Temptations and distractions become obstacles to setting and keeping good habits. They lure us away from our goals and take our attention away from what we’re trying to do. They keep us from establishing and maintaining the behaviors we want to have.

Temptations can take many forms: food, drugs, sex, or spending money. We might be drawn to these things because they make us feel good at the moment. But they often have negative consequences in the long run. Eating unhealthy food leads to weight gain and health problems. Using drugs or alcohol can damage our bodies and minds. Spending too much money can lead to financial problems.

Distractions like watching TV, checking social media, or playing video games might not have the same serious repercussions, but they can definitely keep you from living your best life.

Avoiding them is the best way to overcome them. If you can’t avoid them altogether, try to delay exposure until after you’ve accomplished what you set out to do.

Stress

It’s no secret that stress can take a toll on our mental and physical health. In fact, stress has been shown to impact everything from our cognitive abilities to our heart health. And when it comes to forming and keeping good habits, stress can be one of our biggest obstacles.

One reason for this is that stress can lead to negative thinking patterns. When we’re stressed, it’s easy to dwell on negative thoughts and scenarios, which can in turn make us feel overwhelmed and discouraged. This can make it difficult to focus on our goals and stay motivated.

In addition, stress can lead to bad decision-making. We may be more likely to indulge in unhealthy foods or skip our workouts when we’re feeling stressed out. This is because stress can cause the body to release hormones like cortisol, which can lead to cravings for unhealthy foods and a loss of interest in exercise.

So how can we overcome stress and keep good habits? Here are a few tips:

Make time for self-care. When we’re stressed, it’s important to take some time for ourselves. This may mean taking a relaxing bath, reading a book, or spending time outdoors. Taking time for self-care can help to reduce stress and promote positive thinking.

Set realistic goals. Don’t try to overhaul your entire lifestyle all at once. Start by setting small, achievable goals and gradually work up to bigger ones. This will help you stay motivated and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Find a stress-relieving activity. When stress starts to creep in, try to do something that relaxes you. This could be anything from reading to taking a walk to listening to music. Finding an activity that helps you calm down can be helpful in preventing stress from interfering with your habits.

Take a break. When stress is getting the best of you, it’s okay to take a break. Step away from your work or your to-do list and take some time for yourself. Doing this can help you recharge and come back to your tasks with fresh eyes.

By following these tips, you can reduce the impact of stress on your habits and stay on track to reaching your goals.

Boredom

Boredom can also become an obstacle to keeping good habits. When you’re bored, it’s hard to muster up the energy to do anything productive. In fact, boredom often leads to procrastination, which can in turn lead to bad habits.

So how can you overcome boredom and stick to your good habits? Here are a few tips:

Find something to do that you enjoy. If you can find an activity that you really enjoy, boredom won’t be such a problem. Maybe you like reading, writing, painting, or playing music. Or maybe you enjoy being active and like going for walks, biking, or swimming.

Get organized. One way to avoid boredom is to have a plan. If you know what you’re going to do each day and each week, you won’t have time to get bored. You can also use a planner or calendar to help you stay organized.

Break up your routine. If you do the same things every day, it can get monotonous. Try to mix things up a bit. Take a different route to work, eat lunch at a different restaurant, or watch a different TV show.

Find friends who share your interests. When you have friends who share your interests, it’s less likely that you’ll get bored. You can also join a club or group that meets regularly to do activities that you enjoy.

Get creative. If you’re the type of person who gets bored easily, try coming up with new and interesting ways to keep yourself entertained. Be creative and have fun with it!

[Featured Image by Flickr Creative Commons]